Four Basement Waterproofing Options For Your Home

When you find water leaking into your home, you know that you need to call a professional for basement waterproofing as soon as possible. Water can not only ruin the items you are storing below your home, but it can also create a breeding ground for toxic mold to develop. When you call the company to fix your problem, there are four basic options they may consider.

Negative-Side Option

Negative-side basement waterproofing treats the problem from inside your home. This works well for small cracks as a temporary solution. It basically creates a block that prevents the water from getting through the wall and into your home. This process typically uses a waterproof paint or hydraulic cement to coat the wall.

There are a few problems that are not addressed by this solution. First, it does not address the pressure coming from the water outside the wall. Eventually, the sealer will not be able to withstand this pressure, and the process will have to be repeated. Second, this type of sealing does not address spreading cracks, and new cracks that have not been sealed, so the problem often returns.

Interior Footing Drain

An interior footing drain is installed below the floor. This provides the water with a path to follow away from the home and to a safe place. It can work well, but sometimes it will get clogged. When it gets clogged, it will allow water once again to enter the home.

Exterior Excavation

Exterior excavation requires the digging of a big hole around the foundation of the home. Once the foundation is exposed, the basement waterproofing company will install a membrane over the concrete to keep the water out. This can work well, but the home's owner will need to install a sump pump as well. The main drawback, of course, is the damage to the homeowner's yard throughout the process.

Other Drain Systems

The final way to tackle a basement waterproofing situation is through one of a series of specially designed drain systems. Each home is going to require a different type of system, but these are designed to divert water into a sump pump system, so that it can then be pumped out of the home. When installed correctly by a professional, they should require little disruption to the family's life and the home, and should work quite effectively. By pumping water away from the foundation, these systems can prevent problems associated with cracks and seepage.

Remember, basement waterproofing is a very important thing to consider when you have water in your home, but it is something you need to allow professionals to handle. By trying to fix the problem yourself, you could end up with a very big mess down the road. Having your home waterproofed may even increase its property value, so do not be afraid to invest a little money in this important process.